When is it safe to give babies water?

Answer 1

Around the time they start eating solid food. There's nothing wrong with giving babies wanter. I mean, formula and breast milk are almost all water. It's just that you don't want them to "fill up" on water and not drink as much formula or breastmilk. When you start giving them solids (4-6 months), give them some water in a sippy cup.

Answer 2

I started immidiatly, but only just a few drops a few times a day, then increased it slowly from there. We live in Arizona and it is terribly hot here and water is essential. Just make sure you don't give them lots and lots since formula and breastmilk do have water in it. At the same time, could you immagine not ever having water? I had this crazy lady tell me not to give my children water for the first year. I just couldn't believe that. I can't go a single day with out water. I carried a bottle of water for my babies and when they would eat, right before hand I would offer them the bottle for just a couple sucks. Now all three children drink plenty of water, they love it. Good luck

Answer 3

A baby can have water anytime. Formula is mixed with water. Water should never be given as a substitute for breastmilk or formula, though. Baby gets all the nutrients he/she needs from breastmilk or formula.

When water is given, use bottled water or "nursery water" to be safe. When babies start toddling and walking they like to have water between meals in a sippy cup. On a hot day it's nice to give them some water to sip whenever they want.

Answer 4

From the day they are born. When i took both of my children in for their 2 weeks dr visits the doctor made sure each time to tell me that they needed at least 2-4 ounces of water a day. And that I could add a little sugar to it to make it taste good. But the water has flouride and other chemicals in it that is good for a child. And a child doesnn't get those nuturients if they are exclusively breast fed. But then again, I didn't take my children to some dumb pediatrician, I took my children to my family doctor. And he also suggested that I start my kids on juice and cereal at 6 weeks old and baby food at 8 weeks. And my two kids are hardly ever sick, they eat almost any food you put in front of them and my baby girl was 6 weeks early and only weighed 4lbs15oz and she is bigger than most kids her age and weighs more than her big brother. So I believe in doing what you feel is best for your child, dont' follow some doctors orders who is only going by what a book tells him is right.

Answer 5

It isn't that water isn't SAFE, per se;

The thing is that growing babies need calories and nutrients, of which neither are present in plain water.

If a baby drinks water, that fills them up, and they no longer want food or formula/breastmilk when it is presented to them.

Always give formula until the baby is 1 year of age, then offer water only AFTER your baby has eaten all the food they want.

Answer 6

No plain water until they are off formula or breastmilk is the advice of many conservative pediatricians. The reason is because it can cause an electrolyte imbalance. In some cases, this can cause brain swelling (and, I'm told hydrocephalus which is water on the brain).

The problem is that children don't come with a stamp that says they have a tendency towards water on the brain, so you have to assume your child could have this problem.

Answer 7

It is safe to give a baby water @any age. Especially w/ the warmer months coming. You also don't want to deprive them of the nutrients in formula and breastmilk. water is obviously not a meal supplement. It is also recommended to give your baby a little water after nursing or bottle. it helps "wash" the mouth out and promote good oral health.

Answer 8

i started giving my son water when he was one month old only two drops a day ,beside baby water has fluoride and calcium good for teeth development .its good if you start early so that they like it.Any way we use water for formula milk so i don't think you have to wait until they are older

Answer 9

My daughters Dr. said that she really didn't need water cause her formula had plenty of water in it, but if I wanted to give my daughter water not to give her more then two oz. per day.

Answer 10

I would say at about four months, but only a few oz. a day. The doctor does recommend it, as so many children hate drinking water today. Get them started early, and maybe they'll drink it forever. Good luck!